Friday, August 31, 2007

Is It Ever Right To Get Even?

Proverbs 20:22 "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee."

The answer to this question is....no!

It is in our human nature to want to get even with those who do us or someone we love wrong. That is why a person has the tendency to hit, kick, lash out in word or in deed.

To recompense means to compensate; to make return of an equivalent for any thing given, done or suffered; as to recompense a person for services; for fidelity or for sacrifices of time, for loss of damage.

The Bible does not teach us to get even with those who wrong us. The best way to get even with someone is to just leave it up to the Lord to take care of things. No matter how right we think we are it is never right to get even. The Bible tells us what to do with those who wrong us in Romans 12:20-21. "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

When someone does us (or someone we love) wrong we should do the opposite with them. We are to return kindness for their wrong-doing. Hebrews 10:30 "For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." It is never easy to seemingly let the person get away with what they have done. But you can rest assured that they won't. God will protect His children just as a mother or father will protect their children.

This very thing is something that God is teaching me right now in my life. There is someone who has...and continues to "attack" members of my family. This person has lied to...stolen from and said things about certain members of my family. Don't you think I want nothing more than to get even with this person? Of course I do...in my spirit. But God tells me in His Word that He will take care of everything. Because of that I must continue to love this person (although it is very hard to) and pray for them. This is a tough course to go through and I can only pray for strength and wisdom in dealing with this person. Once this course is completed I can only pray that I pass the test and look back on it and see that God was glorified in me and in the situation.

So the next time you (or someone in your family) are wronged...remember that God says "Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense." Don't get even...give that person to God and let Him take care of everything.

16 comments:

Kristi said...

Hmmmm, this is definitely something I can relate to!!! It takes a lot of me focussing on the Lord to put situations in His hands when I feel like keeping them in my own. Bruce says it's that red hair of mine, but truth is, it's my spirit not allowing HIS spirit to take control.

Good post, Sis Julie!

~Kristi

Mimi said...

I know what you mean when you feel like you want to "get even" when some does or says something to hurt you or someone you love...
I have a real problem with holding grudges.. I have to work on it every day... and many times I lose.. I have to continuously turn my attitude over to God and ask him to take over my thoughts so I won't mull over my hurt until it festers and becomes a grudge

Sis. Julie said...

sis. kristi...that's exactly the problem...we don't yield ourselves to God. We think we are but then something happens and we know we aren't.

Sis. Julie said...

mimi...If we're not careful that is exactly what will happen...it will fester and become a grudge...then hatred isn't far behind and then before you know it we're bitter!!

~~Deby said...

Good post and boy do I KNOW what you are feeling and it seems like that attitude of mine rears it's ugly head in similiar situations....I feel like don't mess with______ !!! I will get back....but it is only in my mind...and I am so ashamed...thanks for the reminder that the battle is the Lord's
Deby

Sis. Julie said...

sis. deby....Amen!! I really need your prayers for me right now. Things continue to get more difficult with this particular person and I cannot let the enemy have his way in my life...it is just getting so hard!!

Ms. Kathleen said...

Very well stated. God is just so good to take our burdens from us and one burden is revenge...but we have to give it to Him.

God Bless You and keep on preachin' and teachin'!

Hugs!

Mishel said...

Great post Julie! This is such a hard thing to do--and one that can't be done without the grace of God.

Blessings to you!

~~Deby said...

sis Julie..I am up and praying...dear friend and sister in the Lord.....I pray for peace for your heart and mind...you are a sweet Christian..making a difference in so many of our lives..makes sense to me that the enemy would attack in ways .....Greater is HE that is on YOU than he that is in the WORLD...
Do RIGHT...
Deby

Sis. Julie said...

kathleen marie...Thank you for stopping and leaving a comment. I need to make it known that I don't preach....although my husband makes jokes saying that I write a lot of his messages...but he is the preacher. I do desire to teach others what God shows me through His Word. I didn't want you or anyone else to think that I claim to be a preacher. Thank you again for your comment.

Sis. Julie said...

mishel...you are so right!!

Sis. Julie said...

sis. deby...thank you so much!! The enemy has been on the attack for a while now but I am finding it harder and harder to deal with this situation. Its so hard when things concern our children. The attacks come at my children and when they don't see the dangers that lie ahead it frightens me. Thank you for your prayers!! With the help of the Lord I will not give up but I am certainly getting weary at the moment. God is always faithful to strengthen His children when they need it and He is certainly doing that. I just want to handle things in the way that He would want me to. One thing is for sure...when God shows you something and you agree with it and teach others about it...you can expect a test to come your way and it is usually in the way of an attack of the enemy in that area that God shows you. Just pray I let God have His way and that I don't make the bad choice of giving in to temptation. Love you Sis and thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

TO BECOME said...

I have a Person like this in my life. She has hurt just about everyone close to me, including me. I have come to the point in my life where I just feel so sorry for her. She must be a very unhappy person to do and say the things she says. I try to always look at her with the eyes that the saviour looked at me with when He died in my place on the cross. I know I had hurt Him many times and yet he loved me enough to die for me. What great love. I refuse to let feeling of hate live or even vist often in my heart where she is concerned because I know that once again I would be hurting my Lord. I do pray for her and that One day she can see and feel and love the way God would like her to. So, no we much not seek to get revenge when we are hurt by others.Those kind of things belong to One who is much greater and with more knowledge that I. connie from Texas

Sis. Julie said...

sis. connie...you know...you are so right....and I am going to begin looking at this person in my life the same way. You have really helped me with what you said here. When I look at those that need to be saved I try to look at them this way...and this person needs to be looked at in the same way. Thank you for what you said....I needed to hear this. I love you!!

Marsheila said...

I'm praying for you sister Julie
I just wanted you to know that....
when the enemy messes up things in our lives as he always does God will turn a bad situation around and make good of it. Just remember that God allowed this situation to happen for a reason.

love you bunches
marsheila

Sis. Julie said...

sis. marsheila...thank you so much!!

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